Clothing and Climate
Canberra experiences four distinct seasons during the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Temperatures range from hot in summer when days are usually around thirty degrees Celsius to the night of winter when a zero or minus reading is normal.
You may wish to bring a range of clothing with you, particularly warm clothing for the winter months.
Australian seasons are as follows:
- Summer - December/January/February
- Autumn - March/April/May
- Winter - June/July/August
- Spring - September/October/November
Food
You will find Australian food different from what you are used to at home. However, Canberra has restaurants and supermarkets which provide food for people from most countries of the world. Australians usually have three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are often light meals with the evening meal being the main meal of the day.
The Student Association operates cafeterias on the three main campuses which offer reasonably priced meals. Off campus there are many snack bars, cafes and restaurants which sell a wide variety of food.
Shopping
Prices of goods for sale in shops in Australia are not subject to bargaining. The shopkeeper offers goods on a fixed price basis.
Canberra has supermarkets and shops which sell spices and other ingredients used in cooking. As well there are a number of grocery shops which sell imported tinned and preserved goods and some fresh produce such as bean curd and noodles.
Apart from supermarkets and shops, Canberra has several fruit, vegetable and fish markets which sell a wide variety of produce at reasonable prices. There are also
second hand or "opportunity" shops in many suburbs selling such goods as clothing, furniture, and household items at low prices.
Australian Customs
You will find that Australians are generally friendly and informal in their speech, attitudes and dress. It is common for Australians to address others by their given names (Christian) name but as a newcomer to the community it is preferable for you to use titles and family names (surname) until otherwise invited.
In Australia men and women are regarded equally. They mix freely socially and compete for jobs on an equal basis. In many instances they share accommodation and as a consequence contribute equally to expenses, cooking and cleaning.
Most people who travel from one country to stay in another country usually have some difficulties in adjusting to the new environment over the first six - eight months. However, at the Canberra Institute of Technology there are people who will assist you adjusting to life in Australia.
Religion
There is complete religious freedom in Australia. In fact it is illegal to discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of their religious beliefs.
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